14Mar14

Xi leads China's military reform, stresses strong army

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is head of a leading group for deepening
reform on national defense and the armed forces, on Saturday stressed that
the country's military reform should be guided by the objective of building a
strong army.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the
remarks during the first plenary meeting of the group under the CMC.

"National defense and military reform are an important part and an important
symbol of China's overall reform," Xi said.

With "being able to combat and win battles" as the focus, Xi said the reform
should target key problems in strengthening combat preparedness and weak
links in honing combat effectiveness.

The president urged deepening reform to modernize army establishments.

Reform of the commanding system, power structure and related policies
should be advanced to support the consolidation of national defense and the
building of strong armed forces, according to Xi.

The reform should ensure the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s absolute
leadership over the military, Xi said.

The president warned, however, that reform must be carried out in an "active
yet prudent" manner.

Things requiring change must be reformed in a timely, courageous and
determined way, he said.

"Important reform measures must be taken prudently because a slight move in
one part may affect the situation as a whole," he said, adding that repeated
reviews and scientific assessment are needed before a move is introduced.

The CPC leadership vowed to build modern armed forces with Chinese
characteristics as part of a grand reform blueprint revealed in November of last
year.

The goal is to build an army that "obeys the Party's command, is capable of
winning battles and has a sound work style" by clearing obstacles to the
development of national defense and the armed forces, according to a
communique issued after a key reform meeting.

Members of the leading group approved working rules and a work-division
plan for important reform measures during Saturday's meeting.

[Source: Xinhua, Beijing, 14Mar14]

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